Harry Redknapp claims Gareth Bale is happy at Tottenham despite speculation that Barcelona will launch a bid to sign the left-sided Wales player in light of his performances over the past two seasons.

Bale grabbed the attention when he ran Internazionale ragged in two Champions League games last season and his reputation has improved this term thanks to a number of impressive displays. Barça have watched the 22-year-old on a number of occasions and this week their right-back Dani Alves said Bale would be a welcome addition to the ranks of the European champions, currently looking to replace the left-sided Eric Abidal, who is recovering from a liver transplant.

Redknapp claims there has been no approach for Bale yet, though, and claims the player is content at White Hart Lane. "No one has been in touch with us," he said. "He is happy here with us at the moment. He is a fantastic player. He will be linked with every club because he is such a great player."

Barcelona's players were heavily criticised last year, and immediately after the 2010 World Cup final, for talking publicly about their desire to see the then Arsenal captain Cesc Fábregas return to the Camp Nou – a tactic many saw as tapping up.

When asked whether he thinks Alves's comments constitute tapping up, Redknapp replied: "I haven't seen what he said. I would like Lionel Messi. I will have a chat with the chairman about Lionel. I will see if he fancies coming to Tottenham."

Barcelona suffered a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on Wednesday in their Champions League semi-final first leg and should they win the European Cup, Spurs would be denied a place in the competition if they finish fourth in the Premier League, but Redknapp said he still wants the Blues to go through in Tuesday's second leg.

"I'll be rooting for Chelsea," he added. "I haven't even thought about [missing out on the Champions League if Chelsea win the whole thing]. If Chelsea stay in it, they've got a Champions League final to prepare for as well and that'll mean they've got a lot on their plate. I want to see an English team win it anyway."